PEOPLE of multiple faiths gathered together for the Holocaust Memorial Day - 72 years after the liberation of Auschwitz.

The event at Bolton University Technical College featured presentations and reflections by pupils and community and civic leaders. They came together to remember the victims of the atrocities that occurred more than 70 years ago.

The memorial opened with a short performance of the theme from Schindler’s List by the Bolton School Boys’ Division Violin Quartet before an introductory speech by the vicar of Bolton Canon Matt Thompson.

The mayor of Bolton, Cllr Lynda Byrne, said: “This year marks the 72nd anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz - Birkenau extermination camps.

“Sadly, over the years and even today, we can witness the acts of genocide, which has resulted in innocent people having to go through unbelievable hardship, sufferings and inhumane treatment. The place is known above all others for its association with the persecutions and deliberate mass killings by the Nazis. It is important that we do make time to remember victims of such atrocities in which mainly innocent people lost their lives. These atrocities deprive such communities of their basic rights, their dignity and ultimately their lives.”

The speech was followed by the lighting of candles by community and religious leaders, as well as schoolchildren. Readings from the pupils and guests followed, including a Jewish Memorial Prayer called Hazkarah spoken in English and in Hebrew by Rabbi Joseph Lever of the United Synagogue.

The Bishop of Bolton, the Right Reverend Mark Ashcroft, said: “Remembering the victims on any Holocaust memorial day, reminds us of the sheer scale and horror of these terrible crimes.”

Cllr Linda Thomas, deputy leader of Bolton Council, said: “I am proud to say, we in Bolton have been a welcoming town for many such communities who in turn have enriched our town with their own traditions and cultures.”